Chester County · West Marlborough Township · #LD-10-26-19130
University of Penn Biomass Recycling Facility
West Marlborough Township, PA · 6,900 sq ft non-residential, institutional · 93.0 acres
About this project
A 6,900 sq. ft. building for the New Bolton Center is proposed on a 93-acre site in West Marlborough Township.
Official description: proposed 6,900 SF building INS/New Bolton Center
- Plan type
- Land development
- Land use
- Educational Facility
- Status
- Under county review
Filing history
- 2026-10-12 · #LD-10-26-19130 · Land development · 6,900 sq ft
The full picture AI research · Nov 2, 2026
The University of Pennsylvania's veterinary school (Penn Vet) proposes a 6,900 sq. ft. building at its New Bolton Center campus in West Marlborough Township. County records list the site as 93 acres. The campus is a working veterinary hospital and farm.
According to Penn Vet, the building would be an enclosed biomass recycling facility. It would compost deceased horses, swine and dairy cattle. Penn Vet says it would not be commercial. It would take only animals from New Bolton Center's own hospital, field service and diagnostic work. The finished compost would be spread on campus fields, not sold.
Penn Vet says the building would have concrete floors and monitoring systems. Wastewater would go to the campus treatment plant. Penn Vet's FAQ describes the project as exploratory and says state agencies would review it. Township minutes mention two conditional use requests for a proposed building at New Bolton Center. They do not say it is this facility.
What it could mean nearby
- Penn Vet says the enclosed design and moisture and airflow controls are meant to limit odor. This is the university's own claim, not an independent finding.
- The facility would serve only the campus, so it is described as not a commercial operation. Its traffic effects are not addressed in the sources found.
- Wastewater would be piped to the existing campus treatment plant, per Penn Vet.
- Stormwater review was pending in mid-2026 for a building at New Bolton Center. Because the property straddles a township line, the neighboring township may also review it.
Where it stands
The project appears to be in early local review. Township minutes from spring 2026 mention conditional use requests for a proposed New Bolton Center building, and a stormwater application was still awaited in June 2026. Next steps usually are a decision on the conditional use, stormwater and land development review, and state agriculture and environmental permits.
- Oct 2026 Latest county planning filing for the project
- Jun 2, 2026 Township minutes note a stormwater application was still awaited for a proposed New Bolton Center building
- May 21, 2026 Conditional use requests for a proposed New Bolton Center building were scheduled for a combined hearing
- Apr 2026 Penn Vet's biomass facility FAQ page last updated
Want to weigh in? The West Marlborough Township Board of Supervisors decides conditional use requests at public meetings, and residents can comment there. The township website lists meeting dates.
Who's behind it
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet), New Bolton Center · Penn Vet is the university's veterinary school. New Bolton Center is its large-animal hospital, research and farm campus near Kennett Square.
Around the web
- Proposed New Bolton Center Biomass Recycling Facility FAQsPenn Vet, University of Pennsylvania · Apr 6, 2026Penn Vet describes an enclosed, non-commercial composting facility for campus animals, subject to state agency review.
- 6 2 26 MinutesWest Marlborough Township · Jun 2, 2026Minutes mention a stormwater application awaited for a proposed New Bolton Center building, with possible review by the neighboring township.
- 5 5 26 MinutesWest Marlborough Township · May 5, 2026Minutes mention two conditional use requests for a proposed New Bolton Center building, set for a combined hearing on May 21, 2026.
Planning terms explained
- Conditional use
- A use the zoning code allows only if the governing body finds it meets set conditions, decided at a public hearing.
- Biomass recycling
- Here, composting animal remains with microbes so they break down into soil-like material.
- Stormwater management
- Plans for handling rain runoff from new buildings and paving so it does not cause flooding or pollution.
- Land development
- The township review of a building or site plan, covering layout, access and utilities.
- Planning Commission
- An advisory board that reviews proposals and makes recommendations to the elected supervisors.
Researched by AI from public sources on Nov 2, 2026. It can make mistakes, so check the linked sources and the municipality before relying on it.
Scope estimate for contractors
Estimated construction value: $2.4M
- ~34 roofing squares (assumes 2 stories)
- ~17 tons of cooling (rule of thumb 400 sq ft/ton)
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